there’s nothing special about you as a country that means you deserve ‘special treatment’ from EU.

In the past the U.K. has had the fortune of having had clever diplomats that have secured some opt outs and special consideration. But make no mistake, when UK eventually joined the EU, we in the rest of Europe were mainly feeling sorry for you and yes we owed you a WWII favour

Since then you have done your usual thing of being the loudest in the room. You’re like the slightly embarrassing uncle at the wedding with a few good jokes. We’ve listened to you and laughed to be polite. We’ve given you the best seat at the table, but it’s never enough is it?

Like when we adopted the single currency to go our single market to rival that of the USA. You felt you already had a respected ‘Reserve Currency’ and didn’t need it.

Now the € is the second reserve currency in the world and the pound is nowhere
£ goes up and down like a yo-yo

In 2004 you felt France-Germany were getting a bit too cosy and you thought it a clever idea to expand EU eastward with the ex- communist countries. The rest of us were a bit more cautious but you pressed ahead.
Now you’re complaining about immigration but did not use your brakes

I could go on and on like this but the main point is you, UK,
never really engaged with us in Europe.

It’s been like one foot in the EU and the other in your old Empire,

but that other foot really was in some sort of grave, wallowing in Imperial nostalgia.

We’d love to have you back on board, when you shed your backwardness and delusions.

We have a perfect place for you in EU in mind.

That is to be the ‘Services Capital’ of the EU as well as the world, something you’re good at

But if you don’t play ball we’ll freeze you out.

That's not a punishment for daring to go it your own way. We've just had enough of you being outside the tent pissing in. We've had enough of you wanting to have your cake and eat it. We've had enough of your cherry picking.

And also as a Dutchman, don't give me that bullshit that the UK is bankrolling the EU and that when you pull the plug the EU will go tits up.

For starters with a population a third of the UK, The Netherlands almost pays as much in the EU coffers as you British.

But unlike the UK, Dutch really are a nation of traders and we know which side of our bread is buttered. So instead of complaining we grab opportunities of the Single Market and border-less trading with both hands and get our rewards that way.

A brilliant return of investment!

And when we go on holiday in Spain or go skiing in the Italian Dolomites and see a shiny new motorway or a new EU funded ski lift, we're proud we paid for that and glad we can enjoy it. We don't begrudge pulling Mediterranean countries up to our level of prosperity.

After all, when all European nations have the same levels of prosperity, the same employment levels and the same protection under the umbrella of the European Courts, then why would we be jealous, why start wars with our neighbours?

Some upset Corbynistas are claiming this photo was “photoshopped”. Are they correct?

It appears two separate motions of confidence were signed yesterday, one by Labour and one by the real opposition. It seems it is perfectly reasonable to assume both documents exist: One against @theresa_may May, one against the Government as a whole🤗edm.parliament.uk/early-day-moti…

I compared these two motions side by side and you can clearly see they are two separate motions signed by the same MPs. You think that mad corbynista will apologise after accusing me of “photoshopping” Jeremy’s #Brexit motion? Best not hold my breath 😅

X : Being a quitter, do you ever listen to the concerns of those who wish to remain?
Me : I listen to many opposing views from @acgrayling to @williamheath to @mikebutcher to ... a long list. The views belong to sensible people, often friends and including family.

X : I don't get why you support brexit?
Me : My reasons are around democracy and sovereignty.
X : Why are you against a people vote then?
Me : I was against holding the first referendum. I'm certainly not in favour of a re-run.

X : You know you're on the wrong side of history.
Me : In your view, not mine. That history has yet to be written. I do not know who is right or wrong.
X : I can't agree with you. I'm going to have to unfollow.
Me : That's your choice, not mine. I will still follow you.

1/ chequers shows there is unlikely to be a deal acceptable to the EU and the europhobes in the tory party #Brexit so its likely that no deal #Brexit is the only available #Brexit and therefore there is unlikely to be a choice of deal or no deal to start with

2/ if May does comeback with a deal it will need labour support to pass Labour would have to choose between backing it thus forgoing any chance of bringing down the government and thus the GE they say they want and angering the labour movement or voting it down

1. The UK can get most of what it wants by agreeing to the EEA. It creates a stable framework which can be introduced in stages as each country specific protocol takes effect, creating space for continual negotiations - allowing us an independent trade policy almost immediately.

2. The first priority is to deal with the administrative act of leaving the EU. Subsequent issues can be refine and negotiated precisely because the EEA is an adaptive framework. The issues can be ironed out over time. It;s better than a perma-transition vassal state.

3. The EEA would provide a great deal of legal certainty for business, ensuring that the regulatory environment for trade remains intact - allowing them to remain in the UK and resume their investment plans.

1) We are each a spark of the Divine. Worthy as ever. And yet, sometimes we lose sight of our inherent value. That inner voice can become muffled by the narratives we play over and over in our mind. What are the messages that wear us down? In this moment, let’s challenge them.

2) What has caused us to forget that we are deserving? In this moment, let’s remind ourselves that our capacity for growth and strength is incredible. How can we reframe our experiences and begin viewing our lives from a more elevated perspective?

3) Are we ready to stop buying into old thoughts patterns and start trusting more empowering ones? Know this – there is so much more in store for you. The more we begin to believe this, with God’s help, the sooner we will receive what we hope, pray, and strive for. #believe